Shortly after the New Jersey ska punk group Face First disbanded in 2002, singer/guitarist Tom "Chitty" Keiger, bassist Jarrett Selzer, trumpet "Okie" Okamoto and drummer Tommie Clayton decided to reunite to play a poppier, more synthesized form of modern punk rock. Therefore, Okamoto switched from trumpet to keyboard, and Kenny Ryan, formerly of Hidden in Plain View, joined as a second guitarist. The name "Houston Calls", according to the band, is a combination of chapter titles from the Apollo 13 DVD.Read Full BioShortly after the New Jersey ska punk group Face First disbanded in 2002, singer/guitarist Tom "Chitty" Keiger, bassist Jarrett Selzer, trumpet "Okie" Okamoto and drummer Tommie Clayton decided to reunite to play a poppier, more synthesized form of modern punk rock. Therefore, Okamoto switched from trumpet to keyboard, and Kenny Ryan, formerly of Hidden in Plain View, joined as a second guitarist. The name "Houston Calls", according to the band, is a combination of chapter titles from the Apollo 13 DVD. Other choices included "Zoltar Madness" (from Big), "Giant Green Insanity" (from The Toxic Avenger), and "Deeds in NY" (from Mr. Deeds).[1]While they began performing live in June 2003, they soon released their 4 Song Sampler, produced by Hidden in Plain View's Rob Freeman, to help spread the word. Due to various national tours with bands such as Hidden in Plain View, The Academy Is... and Hellogoodbye, Houston Calls' fanbase grew steadily, until in spring 2004, Clayton left the band. Through mutual friends, Josh Grigsby was introduced to the band and became their drummer on May 15, 2004. The newly manned five-piece went into the studio with producer Jesse Cannon, to record their Sampler Volume 2 (2004). A few months after its release in August 2004, Houston Calls became the second band to sign with Rushmore Records, a subsidiary record label of Drive-Thru Records, who the band had been friends with ever since their formation.On August 2, 2005, the band's official debut album, A Collection of Short Stories, was released. Produced by Ed Rose, the CD contained eleven songs, three of which had previously been released on their two samplers.

In November 2006, Kenny Ryan announced he was leaving the band, Houston Calls found a replacement in Jose Lopez in Feburary 2007 who had been filling in for Kenny.

In April 2008, the band entered the studio with producer Mark Weinberg to record their follow up to A Collection of Short Stories, The End of an Error and was released on October 14, 2008, along with the single "Life Won't Wait". The album was made available to stream via AOL on the day of release. The band went on a UK Tour as main support newcomers You Me At Six. Farewell were the openers.

At the end of December 2008, founding member Jarrett Seltzer left after no longer wishing to tour as a musician. Two weeks later, it was announced that Jose Lopez would no longer be in the band due to personal reasons. The band has announced that Dan Diaz of Red Light Green Light will be filling Jose's spot. Jason Jaksetic of The Pilot will be filling in on bass. The tour will go on as planned.

On June 9, 2009, the band officially announced that they are disbanding. They will play their last show on August 29, 2009, at School of Rock in their hometown.

Some of the members brand new band Future of the Party with some of the Paulson members.

Push the pen to the paper
Wasting ink trying to make her move back east
To good old New Jersey
I know it's not feasible
Running out of reasons to
Have these doubts in my mind
Oh, in my mind.

[Chorus:]
Go for it, don't play these games
I promise you it's right
Settle down and think this out it's way too far to try
Always, you're on my mind
And if I can't sleep without you then why would I even try to?
Always, you're on my mind
And if I can't be without you then why would I even try to?

Selfish me, I can't think straight
Foolish me, I've begun to hate myself for this
For thinking more than what it is
Your radiance has filled all of my bones and skin
I can't leave you here,
Comeback with me so I can keep you smiling

[Chorus]

The trouble is it's there in plain sight
But we walk around it, let's fight the fight
If we stick together we can tear this down
But you refuse to leave your comfortable home town

I can't believe what I would give up for you look what you've done to me
It makes me think that the distance is nothing to keep me away to keep me from holding you

Southern Raised are a talented group of 3 sisters and 1 brother who learned to play musical instruments associated with classical music. However, these siblings’ talents couldn’t be contained to just one instrument or one genre, for there seemed to be no bounds to their talents. After hearing a recording of acoustic instruments and thinking it would be fun to learn how and play those instruments, it actually served as the catalyst to these young Christians’ lives taking the road less traveled and becoming Southern Gospel Musicians and Performers, as they began telling the Gospel message through uplifting, soul-searching songs and music.